The Purpose Of A Readiness Assessment
A readiness assessment is a review of resources, and it is used to assess the probability of success and risks involved with a proposed initiative. This is a very beneficial planning tool that can help an organization identify gaps in processes. The purpose of this tool is to:
- Serve as a guide for learning analytics.
- Build a learning measurement strategy.
- Document current gaps or, in other words, contrast the ‘as is’ with the potential ‘should be.’
With readiness assessments, it is important to first identify the scope of any proposed changes so everyone can be aware of the components needed. The entire system, including the elements contained therein, should be ready before taking on any changes.
A readiness assessment is often administered during an interview or in a focus group. One-on-one interaction is preferable because it allows an individual to get down to the specific components of the overall project and to determine where changes need to be made. The aim is to get a clear picture of the organization ‘as is,’ so you can better work toward reaching the ‘should be’ state.
There are plenty of tools in the business world to help a business determine how prepared it is for any upcoming initiatives, so it is important to select these tools with care. It is important, however, to adapt the tools and resource to your specific needs, and be sure you assess all resources, conditions, and attitudes in the process.
When utilizing a readiness assessment, use the ‘zoom in’ and ‘zoom out’ approach. Zooming in simply means looking at the smallest units such as individual staff, teams, and departments. Zooming out is all about looking at the big picture, such as the factors existing in the surrounding environment. As with any readiness assessment, include a realistic analysis of both the local and national political economy so you can note what that status means for the new initiative.
Once the readiness assessment is completed, the summary of it can be as simple as stating whether things are completely ready, only partially read, or not at all ready. These conclusions should be backed up with sufficient evidence.